More Than 104,000 Canadians Sign Petition Calling for U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s Removal

More Than 104,000 Canadians Sign Petition Calling for U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s Removal

Pete Hoekstra Petition Surpasses 104,000 Signatures in Canada

More than 104,000 people have signed a Canadian parliamentary petition calling for U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and removed from Canada amid controversy over his comments and conduct.

Pete Hoekstra Petition Surpasses 104,000 Signatures as Pressure Mounts in Canada

A growing diplomatic controversy between Canada and the United States has taken a dramatic turn, with more than **104,000 people signing a parliamentary petition calling for U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra to be declared “persona non grata” and removed from his diplomatic post.

The petition has rapidly attracted public attention in Canada, gaining tens of thousands of additional signatures in a matter of days. It was launched through Canada's official parliamentary petition system and calls on the Canadian government to take action over what its author describes as conduct inconsistent with diplomatic norms.

According to reporting published Thursday, August 13, 2026, the petition had crossed the 104,000-signature mark.

The campaign represents an unusually strong public challenge to a serving foreign ambassador and comes at a time when Canada-U.S. relations remain politically sensitive.

What Is the Petition Asking For?

The petition was submitted by Leanne Walker of Calgary and is sponsored by Green Party MP Elizabeth May.

It calls on the Canadian government to remove Hoekstra from his position as U.S. ambassador and to raise concerns with Washington about what the petitioner describes as a pattern of conduct that is inconsistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The petition does not itself remove an ambassador. Instead, it puts the issue formally before Canada's parliamentary process and requires the government to respond under the rules governing parliamentary petitions.

Canada's parliamentary petition system allows citizens and residents to submit petitions to Parliament. Once a petition meets the required conditions, including having at least five signatures and an MP willing to present it, the federal government must provide a written response within 45 days.

That means the enormous number of signatures is politically significant, even though it does not automatically force Ottawa to expel the ambassador.

Why Are Canadians Calling for Pete Hoekstra’s Removal?

The controversy surrounding Hoekstra is largely connected to his comments and actions concerning U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated rhetoric about Canada potentially becoming the “51st state” of the United States.

Critics argue that an American ambassador in Canada should avoid appearing to legitimize rhetoric that challenges Canada's sovereignty.

The petition's author accuses Hoekstra of helping normalize Trump's comments by describing the “51st state” language as a “term of endearment.”

Hoekstra has also previously shared posts from Trump referring to Canada as the 51st state.

In June, when questioned about the controversial characterization of Canada as an additional American state, Hoekstra reportedly responded that it was a matter for the U.S. president and Canadian prime minister to discuss.

For critics, those comments have contributed to the perception that the ambassador has not sufficiently separated his diplomatic responsibilities from controversial political messaging coming from Washington.

The “51st State” Issue Has Become a Major Flashpoint

The idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state has repeatedly generated political controversy.

Although Trump has presented the concept in different ways, many Canadians have strongly rejected the idea, viewing it as an attack on Canadian sovereignty and national identity.

That sensitivity has made the ambassador's public comments particularly consequential.

Ambassadors are expected to represent their governments while maintaining diplomatic relationships with the governments and populations of their host countries. Critics of Hoekstra argue that his public statements have contributed to tensions rather than reducing them.

The petition therefore goes beyond a disagreement over one comment. Its supporters are presenting the issue as a broader question about diplomatic conduct and respect for Canadian sovereignty.

Voter ID App Controversy Adds to the Backlash

The petition also raises concerns about Hoekstra's links to an American voter-identification application that has reportedly been used by elements of Alberta's separatist movement.

According to the allegations raised by the petition, information from the application has been used to identify names and addresses of people who could potentially support a referendum.

Hoekstra has denied knowing that the application was being used by separatists.

The issue has nevertheless become another source of controversy surrounding the ambassador and has fueled questions about the boundaries between American political activities and Canadian domestic affairs.

Importantly, these are allegations and political concerns raised by the petition and its supporters; they should not be treated as established findings of wrongdoing.

Petition Gains Momentum at Extraordinary Speed

One of the most striking aspects of the campaign is the speed at which it has grown.

The petition was published on July 21, 2026, and is scheduled to remain open for signatures until November 18.

For much of its early existence, the petition attracted relatively limited attention. That changed dramatically this week.

The number of signatures reportedly increased from tens of thousands to more than 100,000 in a remarkably short period. By Thursday, the campaign had passed 104,000 signatures.

The rapid increase has transformed the petition from a relatively small political initiative into a major national talking point.

It has also attracted international media attention because of what the campaign could mean for relations between two of North America's closest neighbours.

Petition Author Says Response Exceeded Expectations

Walker, the Calgary resident who submitted the petition, told Canada's national broadcaster CBC News that the response had been much larger than she expected.

She also acknowledged that she does not necessarily expect the Canadian government to expel Hoekstra.

Instead, she hopes the petition will send a political message.

That distinction is important.

The petition's impact may ultimately be measured not by whether Hoekstra is immediately expelled, but by whether it increases pressure on the Canadian government to address concerns surrounding his diplomatic conduct.

What Does “Persona Non Grata” Mean?

The Latin phrase persona non grata essentially means an unwelcome person.

In international diplomacy, a country can declare a foreign diplomat persona non grata. Such a declaration can result in the diplomat being required to leave the host country.

However, a parliamentary petition does not itself have the authority to make that declaration.

The Canadian government would have to decide how to respond to the concerns raised.

This makes the petition primarily a mechanism for bringing public pressure and a specific issue before Parliament rather than an automatic expulsion process.

Could Canada Actually Expel Hoekstra?

The petition's enormous signature count does not automatically mean Hoekstra will be removed.

The Canadian government is required to respond to qualifying parliamentary petitions, but the response does not necessarily have to accept the petitioners' demands.

Ottawa could reject the request, explain its diplomatic position, announce further discussions with Washington or take another course of action.

The political significance, however, should not be underestimated.

More than 100,000 signatures represents a substantial level of public engagement with a diplomatic issue. It gives Canadian politicians an indication of the strength of public concern among petition supporters.

It could also increase scrutiny of future statements made by the ambassador.

A Wider Test for Canada-U.S. Relations

The Hoekstra controversy comes against the backdrop of broader tensions in Canada-U.S. relations.

The two countries have exceptionally close economic, geographic and security ties, but political disagreements can quickly become highly sensitive because of the scale of their relationship.

The ambassador's role is therefore especially important.

A U.S. ambassador in Ottawa is not simply a messenger for Washington. The position also involves maintaining communication, managing disagreements and helping preserve diplomatic relationships.

Supporters of Hoekstra may argue that he is simply communicating the Trump administration's position and carrying out the president's agenda.

Critics, however, believe an ambassador should exercise greater caution when discussing questions involving Canadian sovereignty and domestic politics.

That disagreement lies at the heart of the current controversy.

What Happens Next?

The petition remains open until November 18, meaning the final number of signatures could become considerably higher.

The Canadian government will also face the requirement to provide a formal written response under the parliamentary petition process.

Whether that response satisfies petition supporters remains to be seen.

For now, the campaign has succeeded in putting Pete Hoekstra's diplomatic role firmly into the spotlight.

The central question is no longer simply whether a few Canadians object to the ambassador's comments. With the petition exceeding 104,000 signatures, the controversy has become a much broader public discussion about diplomacy, Canadian sovereignty, U.S. political rhetoric and the future of Canada-U.S. relations.

FAQ....

Who is Pete Hoekstra?

Pete Hoekstra is the United States ambassador to Canada and a veteran American politician and diplomat.

Why are Canadians petitioning against Pete Hoekstra?

The petition accuses Hoekstra of conduct that supporters believe is inconsistent with diplomatic norms, including comments surrounding Trump's “51st state” rhetoric and concerns about his links to a voter-identification application.

How many people have signed the petition?

More than 104,000 signatures had been recorded as of Thursday, August 13, 2026, according to reports.

Does the petition automatically remove Hoekstra from Canada?

No. A parliamentary petition does not automatically expel an ambassador. It requires the Canadian government to provide a formal response if the petition meets the parliamentary requirements.

Who started the petition?

The petition was submitted by Leanne Walker of Calgary and is sponsored by Green Party MP Elizabeth May.

When does the petition close?

The petition is scheduled to remain open for signatures until November 18, 2026.

Conclusion

The rapidly growing petition against U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has become a significant diplomatic and political story in Canada.

With more than 104,000 signatures, its supporters are demanding that Ottawa consider declaring Hoekstra persona non grata and removing him from his post.

Whether the Canadian government takes that step is uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the campaign has succeeded in creating intense public attention around the ambassador's comments, Canada's sovereignty and the increasingly complicated relationship between Ottawa and Washington.

As the petition remains open until November, its final signature count and the Canadian government's eventual response could determine whether this becomes a temporary diplomatic controversy or a more lasting political issue in Canada-U.S. relations.

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